1937-03-02 Regular CC Minutes,1
REGULAR MEETING OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ALAMEDA
HELD TUESDAY EVENING, MARCH 2nd. 1937
The meeting convened at 8 o'c lock p.m. with President Eschen presiding.
The roll was called, and. Councilmen Calcutt, Maurer, Morris, Weichhart and President
Eschen, (5), were noted present. Absent: None.
MINUTES:
The minutes of the regular meeting of February 16th, and the adjourned regular meeting
of February 23rd, 1937, were approved as transcribed.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS:
1. Mr. Frank Gottstein addressed the Council in reference to lack of signs on the San -
Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge, directing people to Alameda. On motion of Councilman Gal-
cutt, seconded by Councilman Maurer and unanimously carried, the City Manager and the
City Attorney were requested to investigate the possibility of installing a Neon-light
sign at the beginning of the ramp showing the way to this City.
HEARINGS:
V 2. On motion of Councilman Calcutt, seconded by Councilman Morris and unanimously
carried, the hearing on the abatement of nuisance at 1439 Morton Street was continued
to the meeting of April 6th, 1937.
REPORTS OF COMMITTEES:
,/3• From the City Manager, informing the Council that he had appointed a Traffic Safety
Committee composed of local citizens interested in traffic safety conditions, and heads
of City departments, which at a meeting on February 17th, considered the matter of park-
ing on Central Avenue between Walnut Street and Park Avenue. The committee concurred
with the City Manager in recommending to the Council that an ordinance be passed to
change the parking from diagonal to parallel on Central Avenue between Walnut Street and.
Park Avenue, and that a limited parking zone be placed in front of the main entrance to
the Alameda High School building. On motion of Councilman Morris, seconded by Council-
man Weichhart and unanimously carried, the recommendation of the City Manager was adopted.
(4. From the City Manager, informing the Council that after meeting with the Traffic
Safety Committee, he recommended that an ordinance be passed to prohibit all parking on
Bank Street, between Park and Oak Streets. On motion of Councilman Maurer, seconded by
Councilman Morris and unanimously carried, the recommendation was adopted.
/5. From the City Manager, referring to a communication from the Board of Police and
Fire Commissioners presented to the Council at its regular meeting held on February 2nd,
1937, recommending that the entrance salary for the Police Department be raised to
$160.00 per month for the first year, and for the second and subsequent years the max-
imum salaries be paid, which was referred to the City Manager for report, and recommended
to the Council that action on this request be considered in the preparation of the
budget for the year 1937-1938. Councilman Morris moved, seconded by Councilman Calcutt,
and unanimously carried, that in accordance with the recommendation of the City Manager,
the Council go on record as being in favor of higher initial salary for the members of
the Police Department.
/6. From the City Manager, informing the Council that the wrecking of the old Royce
home on Franklin Park property as started on February 23rd, 1937. The communication
was ordered filed.
17. From the City Manager, informing the Council that agreeable to a promise to the
North Side Improvement Club he desired to discuss with the members tentative plans
whioh have been completed for the improvement of McKinley Park, including a football
field, after which discussion the definite plans will be presented to the Council.
/8. From the City Manager, informing the Council that the work of installing the
gutters on the City Hall and garage in the rear of the building has been completed in
a very satisfactory manner, as reported to him by the Building Inspector. Action on
the report was deferred to "Unfinished Business".
V9, From the City Manager, informing the Council that plans, specifications and estim-
ates for the improvement of Otis Drive have been approved by the Division of Highways
of the State of California, and the City authorized to advertise for bids. On motion
of Councilman Maurer, seconded by Councilman Weichhart and unanimously carried, the
recommendation was approved.
/10. From the City Planning Commission, in reference to the petition for reclassifica-
tion of northwest corner of Central Avenue and High Street, from Residential District,
Class I, to Business District, Class III, to permit the construction of retail stores,
informing the Council that a petition for a rehearing was considered at a meeting held
Wednesday evening, February 24th, and that by a majority vote, the Commission decided
that the original petition was not deficient and that the previous recommendation that
the Council reclassify, be affirmed. After the Council had been addressed by Attorneys
Whitney and Silver, Mr. Hewitt and Mr. Clune and Mrs. McKee in reference to the recom-
mendation of the Planning Commission, Councilman Morris stated that in order to bring
the matter before the Council for a vote he would move that the recommendation of the
City Planning Commission be not adopted. The roll was called and the following vote
resulted: Ayes: Councilmen Maurer and Morris, (2). Noes: Councilman Weichhart and
President Eschen, (2). Not Voting, Councilman Calcutt, (1). Absent: None. Whereupon
Councilman Calcutt informed the Council that he desired to vote on the question and on
the second roll call, the motion was carried by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmen
Calcutt, Maurer and Morris, (3). Noes: Councilmen Weichhart and President Eschen, (2).
Absent: None.
/11, From the City Manager, informing the Council that after months of negotiation, the
East Bay Transit Company had agreed to certain changes in the present route and time sched-
ule of the San Jose bus line by consolidating it with the West End bus line, which would
give service seven days a week at twenty minute intervals up to midnight, and recommending
that the Council accept the proposed change and, the Railroad Commission be notified of
its action. Mayor Eschen then presented a petition signed by a number of residents ob-
jecting to the rerouting of the bus line fromParu Street to Morton Street. Following
discussion of the proposed changes in the route, Councilman Maurer moved that the City
Manager be instructed to contact the East Bay Transit Company in regard to rerouting of
buses and extension of service, with power to act, seconded by Councilman Morris and
unanimously carried.
/12. From the City Manager, recommending that the sum of $1000,00 be transferred from the
Contingent Fund, Account No. 70-b, to a new account to be known as the Interurban Transpor-
tation Committee account. The communication was referred to "Resolutions".
113. A report was received from the committee on the proposed establishment of a branch
Post Office in the Webster Street business district, pointing out the necessity of such
a branch and offering the Council assistance in every way possible in order to secure it.
The report was referred to "Resolutions".
ORDINANCES INTRODUCED:
The following ordinances were introduced and laid over, as per provision of the
charter:
14.
15.
"Ordinance No.
New Series
Amending Section 17-333 of the Alameda
Municipal Code".
"Ordinance No.
New Series
Amending Section 17-323 of the Alameda
Municipal Code".
"Ordinance No.
New Series
Amending Section 17-341 of the Alameda
Municipal Code by Adding Subsection
(7) Thereto".
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
117. The report of the City Manager on the completion of the restoration of gutters on
the City Hall and garage in the rear of the building, and the recommendation of the Build-
ing Inspector Yam presented for attention. Councilman Calcutt moved that the work be
accepted and in seconding the motion Councilman Maurer expressed commendation for the City
Manager and the City Engineer for their supervision. The motion was unanimously carried.
18, Councilman Calcutt referred to a previous request that efforts be made to have the
railroad company improve the portion of Lincoln Avenue and other streets for which they
are responsible, and was informed by the City Manager that the work is proceeding.
/19. Councilman Morris referred to his request presented to a previous meeting that a
survey be made of the beaches in Alameda, looking toward their public use for bathing,and
was informed by the City Manager that such an investigation had taken place and it was
found that the only section of beach under the control of the City was that at Washington
Park.
Y 20, Councilman Calcutt moved that the City Attorney be instructed to dismiss the appeal
heretofore taken in the action of Locke vs. City of Alameda, and the judvIent against
the City paid, seconded by Councilman Morris and on roll call carried by the following
vote: Ayes: Councilmen Calcutt, Maurer, Morris, Weichhart and President Eschen, (5).
Noes: None. Absent: None.
/21. Councilman Weichhart suggested that the City Manager write to the Sewage Disposal
Commission at Milwaukee, and obtain information which that commission has assembled
concerning'sewage diposal.
NEW BUSINESS:
4'22. Councilman Maurer moved, seconded by Councilman Morris, that Mr. Bestor Robinson
be retained to assist the City Attorney in pension board litigation. The motion was
carried by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmen Maurer, Morris, Weichhart and President
Eschen, (4). Noes: None, Not Voting: Councilman Calcutt, (1). Absent: None.
/23, Councilman Weichhart moved that the City Manager be requested to have installed
a handrail on the stairway leading from the first to the second floor of the City Hall.
The motion carried unanimmisly.
"24. Councilman Calcutt suggested that,now that Otis Drive is about to be improved,
action be taken to have the property owners install sidewalks in front of their property.
The matter was referred to the City Engineer and the City Attorney for report.
RESOLUTIONS:
25, Councilman Morris introduced and moved the adoption of
"Resolution No. 2143
Fixing Salary of the City Auditor"
Councilman Weichhart seconded the motion, and on roll call carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Councilmen Calcutt, Maurer, Morris, Weichhart and President Eschen, (5). Noes: None.
Absent: None.
26. Councilman Weichhart introduced and moved the adoption of
"Resolution No. 2144
Fixing Salary of the City Treasurer",
Councilman Morris seconded the motion, and on roll call-carried by the following vote Ayes: Councilmen Calcutt, Maurer, Morris, Weichhart and President Eschen, (5). Noes: None.
Absent: None.
27, Councilman Morris introduced and moved the adoption of
"Resolution No. 2145
Authorizing Performance and Completion of Project
for the Improvement of Otis Drive, Directing Clerk
to Advertise for Sealed Bids",
Councilman Weichhart seconded the motion and on roll call carried by the following
Ayes: Councilmen Calcutt, Maurer, Morris, Weichhart and President Eschen, (5). Noes:
Absent: None.
vote:
None.
28. Councilman Maurer introduced and moved the adoption of
"Resolution No. 2146
Appropriating $1000 to Defray Expenses of Interurban
Transportation Committee",
Councilman Weichhart seconded the motion and on roll call carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Councilmen Calcutt, Maurer, Morris, Weichhart and President Eschen, (5). Noes:
None. Absent: None.
29. Councilman Weichhart introduced and moved the adoption of
"Resolution No. 2147
Recommending Establishment of Branch Post Office
in the Western Portion of the City of Alameda",
Councilman Maurer seconded the motion and on roll call carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Councilmen Calcutt, Maurer, Morris, Weichhart and President Eschen, (5). Noes:
None. Absent: None.
V 30. At this time, a recommendation was presented by Mayor Eschen that in accordance
with Ordinance No. 259, N.S. relating to Alameda Belt Line, the Council appoint City
Manager Charles R. Schwanenberg a director representing the City of Alameda. Council-
man Weichhart moved that the City Manager be appointed, seconded by Councilman Morris,
and,unanimously carried.
ORDINANCES FOR PASSAGE:
31. "Ordinance No.
New Series
Reclassifying Property
(Southwest Corner of Central Avenue and Grand Street)"
Councilman Maurer moved that the ordinance as read be adopted, seconded by Councilman
Calcutt, and on roll call carried by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmen Calcutt,
Maurer, Morris, Weichhart and President Eschen, (5). Noes: None. Absent: None.
32.
Councilman Morri
Calcutt, and on
Maurer, Morris,
"Ordinance No.
New Series
Reclassifying Property
(Property Known as 874 Walnut Street)".
s moved that the ordinance as read be adopted, seconded by Councilman
roll call carried by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmen Calcutt,
Weichhart and President Eschen, (5). Noes: None. Absent: None.
FILING:
33. Resolution from the Board of Supervisors, re cancelling of taxes on California
Girls' Training HOME) property.
BILLS:
34. An itemized list of claims against the City of Alameda and the several departments
thereof in the total amounts as follows, was presented to the City Council: General
Departments, $2348.41; Police Department, $183.31; Pound Department, $2.38; Fire Depart-
ment, $231.72; Street Department, $304.19; Health Department, $1073.10; Park Department
$181.45; Golf Course Department, $47.56; Store Department, $200.63; Social Service
Department, $220.53; Initiative Relief Fund, $148.00 and East Bay Municipal Utility
District Payments Fund, $2495.42.
Councilman Morris moved, seconded by Councilman Calcutt, that the elainis and bills againt
the City in the amounts as listed and itemized in the List of Claims filed with the City
Clerk on March 2nd, 1937, and presented to the Council at this meeting be allowed and
paid. On roll call this motion carried by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmen Calcutt,
Maurer, Morris, Weichhart and President Eschen, (5). Noes: None. Absent: None.
35. There being no further business to transact, the Council adjourned to meet in
regular session on Tuesday evening, March 16th, 1937, at 8 o'clock p.m..
Respectfully submitted,